McDonald’s Tests Out Smaller, Faster Store In Jersey City

The world’s biggest burger chain is testing out a new restaurant model in Jersey City as part of an effort to meet its customers’ demands for convenience and speed, 1010 WINS’ John Montone reported.

The 12th Street location near the Holland Tunnel has two drive-through lanes and a walk-up window, but no tables or seating area.

“People gotta stand outside,” one customer said. “No eating area, you just walk up to the window.”

Reaction to the mini-McDonald’s, which opened in February, was mixed.

“I like to sit down,” one woman said.

“Trying to stand out in the cold, it ain’t working honey,” another woman said. “It could be fast, but done correctly, hot and have an area for you to sit down. Even if you do like Checkers, put a little sitting area outside for your customers to sit down and eat.”

McDonald’s has also opened up these smaller stores in Texas, Georgia and Washington State, NorthJersey.com reported.

The franchise owner of the Jersey City store told NorthJersey.com that the company is trying to stay ahead of its competition by trying out new concepts.

The Oak Brook, Illinois, company is trying to win back customers, conceding that it failed to keep up with changing tastes. As part of the turnaround push, it introduced an all-day breakfast menu last fall and is looking to step up its core offerings. That includes testing different versions of its Big Mac.

Last week, McDonald’s said sales rose 5.4 percent at established U.S. locations in the first quarter, marking the third straight increase.

Global sales rose 6.2 percent at established locations.

For the quarter ended March 31, McDonald’s Corp. earned $1.1 billion, or $1.23 per share. That’s 7 cents better than analysts had expected for per-share earnings.

Revenue was $5.9 billion, topping the $5.82 billion that Wall Street had expected.